promise

noun

UK /ˈprɒmɪs/

Word Forms

singular	promise
plural	promises

1
countable a statement in which you say that something will definitely happen, or you will definitely do something
the party’s election promises
promise to:
Audrey remembered her promise to her father that she would work harder.
make/give a promise:
I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises!
a promise to do something:
You made a promise to deal with it immediately.
keep a promise:
He swore he would return one day, and he kept his promise.
break a promise:
The army broke its promise to return the country to civilian rule.
Synonyms and related words
Promises
promise
commitment
guarantee
1. 1a
  formala strong suggestion that something will happen or be given
  promise of:
  The promise of permanent employment is almost non-existent today.
  Settlers supported the king in return for the promise of land.
  Synonyms and related words
  The possibility that something will happen
  possibility
  chance
  probability
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪ binding, broken, empty, false, firm, solemn, vague
2
uncountable signs that someone or something is likely to be successful in the future
Life was hopeful and full of promise.
Her invention failed to fulfil its initial promise.
show promise:
He shows great promise as an interpreter.
hold promise:
This technology holds considerable promise for improving inner city living conditions.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to the future
future
potential
prospect
1. 2a
  literarya sign that something is likely to happen
  promise of:
  the promise of an early spring
  Synonyms and related words
  Signs of how things are or what may happen in the future
  sign
  signal
  indication
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪ early, great, initial, unfulfilled

phrases

promises, promises

promise

noun

US /ˈprɑmɪs/

Word Forms

singular	promise
plural	promises

1
countable a statement in which you say that something will definitely happen, or you will definitely do something
the party’s election promises
promise to:
Audrey remembered her promise to her father that she would work harder.
make/give a promise:
I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises!
a promise to do something:
You made a promise to deal with it immediately.
keep a promise:
He swore he would return one day, and he kept his promise.
break a promise:
The army broke its promise to return the country to civilian rule.
Synonyms and related words
Promises
promise
commitment
guarantee
1. 1a
  formala strong suggestion that something will happen or be given
  promise of:
  The promise of permanent employment is almost nonexistent today.
  Settlers supported the king in return for the promise of land.
  Synonyms and related words
  The possibility that something will happen
  possibility
  chance
  probability
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪ binding, broken, empty, false, firm, solemn, vague
2
uncountable signs that someone or something is likely to be successful in the future
Life was hopeful and full of promise.
Her invention failed to fulfill its initial promise.
show promise:
He shows great promise as an interpreter.
hold promise:
This technology holds considerable promise for improving inner city living conditions.
Synonyms and related words
Relating to the future
future
potential
prospect
1. 2a
  literarya sign that something is likely to happen
  promise of:
  the promise of an early spring
  Synonyms and related words
  Signs of how things are or what may happen in the future
  sign
  signal
  indication
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪ early, great, initial, unfulfilled

phrases

promises, promises

promise

verb intransitive/transitive

UK /ˈprɒmɪs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	promise
he/she/it	promises
present participle	promising
past tense	promised
past participle	promised

1
to tell someone that you will definitely do something
The police chief promised tougher action against young criminals.
promise to do something:
Peter wished he’d never promised to help them.
promise someone (that):
Promise me you’ll be home before dark.
We always promised ourselves that we’d visit Hawaii one day.
promise something to someone/promise someone something:
Relief organizations are promising aid to the country.
as promised (=in the way that had been promised):
She phoned at 9 am, as promised.
promise faithfully (=very strongly):
Ellen promised faithfully not to open her present until her birthday.
Synonyms and related words
To make a promise
promise
commit
swear
2
formalto make it seem likely that something will happen
This evening promises to be a lot of fun.
Synonyms and related words
Predicting and prediction
predict
prediction
forecast

phrases

I promise (you)

promise someone the moon/earth

promise

verb intransitive/transitive

US /ˈprɑmɪs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	promise
he/she/it	promises
present participle	promising
past tense	promised
past participle	promised

1
to tell someone that you will definitely do something
The police chief promised tougher action against young criminals.
promise to do something:
Peter wished he’d never promised to help them.
promise someone (that):
Promise me you’ll be home before dark.
We always promised ourselves that we’d visit Hawaii one day.
promise something to someone/promise someone something:
Relief organizations are promising aid to the country.
as promised (=in the way that had been promised):
She phoned at 9 a.m., as promised.
promise faithfully (=very strongly):
Ellen promised faithfully not to open her present until her birthday.
Synonyms and related words
To make a promise
promise
commit
swear
2
formalto make it seem likely that something will happen
This evening promises to be a lot of fun.
Synonyms and related words
Predicting and prediction
predict
prediction
forecast

phrases

I promise (you)

promise someone the moon/earth

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